Custom Envelopes in Word

Here's the secret to putting special markings on envelopes using Word.

Is there any way that I can type the word "Attention" on the lower left of the envelope with Microsoft Word? The Envelopes and Labels window does not give me that option.

George Ap

Actually, the Envelopes and Labels dialog does allow you to customize an envelopeit's just not obvious how to do so. As usual, choose Tools | Letters and Mailings | Envelopes and Labels. Enter the recipient's address and, if it's not already present, the return address. Select any other formatting options that you wish. Then, instead of clicking on Print, click on the Add to Document button. This will insert your envelope in a separate section before the start of your current document. Select View | Print Layout from the menu to see just how the envelope will look.

Click within the envelope and choose Insert | Picture | WordArt from the menu. Select a WordArt style and click on OK. Enter Attention, select a typeface and font size, and then click on OK. Right-click on the newly inserted item and choose Format WordArt from the menu. Make any changes you like to the fill color and line color. Click on the Layout tab, choose the In front of text option, and click on OKthis allows you to move the WordArt wherever you want on the envelope. You can now move it, stretch it, and even rotate it.

To print the custom envelope, insert an envelope in your printer in the usual fashion. If you don't remember the correct orientation, choose Tools | Letters and Mailings | Envelopes and Labels, check the orientation pictured in the box titled Feed, and click on Cancel. Now choose Print from the File menu and click on Pages in the Page range panelenter 0 for the page number. When you click on OK, Word will print your custom envelope.

Neil Rubenking served as vice president and president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years when the IBM PC was brand new. He was present at the formation of the Association of Shareware Professionals, and served on its board of directors. In 1986, PC Magazine brought Neil on board to handle the torrent of Turbo Pascal tips submitted by readers. By 1990, he had become PC Magazine's technical editor, and a coast-to-coast telecommuter. His "User to User" column supplied readers with tips...
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